Our Regional Ministers
• Ministerial Search and Call
• Central, Southwest and Southeast Area Pastoral Liaison
• Commission on Clergy
• African-American Congregations Liaison
• Ecumenical Ambassador
Listener • Storyteller • Song-leader • Photographer • Fisherman • Woodworker
Memphis native Rev. Randy Kuss is a 5th generation Disciple, whose grandfather and pastor was Rev. Dr. T. O. Slaughter. Randy is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister with 50 years of experience in congregational, regional, denominational, and ecumenical ministries including a special focus on Youth, Young Adult, and Outdoor Ministries. Those ministries included service with Oklahoma churches in El Reno, Yukon, Burlington, and Ponca City while pursuing degrees from Phillips University and Phillips Theological Seminary.
He retired in 2023 from service with Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis and with Disciples Home Missions. Randy looks forward to returning to Oklahoma to serve as Interim Regional Minister through this in-between time.
Randy most enjoys gathering folk together to hear what is going on in their ministries and helping them discover directions for their journey and resources in their midst to nurture them along the Way.
Randy is married to Rev. Deb Strock-Kuss, who also retired in 2023 from service as Associate Minister with Geist Christian Church, and they have two children. Randy and Deb will reside in Edmond.
FUN FACT: Randy once auctioned off his beard at a teen summer camp in Colorado, raising $1000 to support a camp for economically disadvantaged children.
• Ministerial Search and Call
• Commission on Children, Youth and Young Adults
• Commission on Faith in Action
• Technology and Congregations
Michael joined the Regional staff in 2010. He provides leadership and vision for our Region’s ministry for Children, Youth, Young Adults, and Summer Camp. He offers connections to a variety of resources, and to other Disciples youth ministry workers in our Region and the denomination.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies at Texas Christian University and a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School. He was ordained into Christian Ministry in 1991 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lubbock, TX.
Working with Ellen and the other staff, Michael manages the Region’s technology and communications systems. He works with congregations searching for a minister and assists clergy with the Search and Call process.
Michael previously served on Regional staff in the Kentucky Region with a similar portfolio of responsibilities.
Michael is married to Rev. Dr. Lisa W. Davison. When not spending time with Lisa, Michael enjoys golf, fishing, and tennis.
FUN FACT: Michael owns a blog, DavisonsDoodle.com, but he doesn’t draw.
Our Valuable Team Members
She owned her own marketing/ad agency in Stillwater for almost a dozen years, so she gets to tap her marketing savvy for the region.
A very proud G-ma to her awesome grandchildren, Ellen and her daughters live in the Tulsa metro area. Ellen is an OSU grad, loves to hike with her Corgi “Daisy” and is an OKC Thunder fan.
FUN FACT: Ellen’s hiking adventures have taken her around the country.